Saturday, August 31, 2013

I was reading Dip Dip & The Bridge's blog and I found once again I was happy to see some random sketches they made. They reminded my Momma about how she used to sketch more often and with a busy life getting in the way - things that brought her joy (besides me, heh, heh) -- seemed backed into a corner. Now Momma admits that she is not a good 'sketcher' (not by any means) to compare to Dip, Elliot and Bridge's Momma - who is undoubtedly extremely talented (painting and making Mini Mes too!) - but - it's like she told a friend not too long ago...

They were talking about how Momma and Daddy like to Karaoke in the living room sometimes until 1am - just for fun. And the friend said they hated singing because they were so very, very bad at it. Momma and Daddy reminded the friend that one doesn't have to be 'good at something' to enjoy doing it. The fun is in the 'journey' sort of speak. Singing even if you are terrible, sketching - even if you can't draw, dancing - even if you look like a chicken. The point is to enjoy life, the little things, the big things, on the way there, and on the way back and when there's nothing left, enjoy the memory of how good you felt while doing them. And when my Momma drew this of me, she enjoyed it and felt good about it.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

My big brother Weasel will be 13 years old in December 2013!Weasel was around before I was born. Weasel was rescued by my parents in early 2001 after they visited the Anti Cruelty Society. Weasel was thrown out in a plastic bag by the side of the road. He was taken to the shelter and adopted only to be returned three times. During the third time my pawrents were walking in when they found a woman crying as she was returning him. They asked why he was being returned and she said her sister kept kicking him. Immediately, my Momma's heart gave way and melted for the four month old aussie/sheltie/chow mix. They asked to adopt him but were told he had to be quarantined. Four days later they brought him home and named him Weasel. They already had a Border Collie (Ethel) a Maltese (Roxy) and a Sheltie (Captain Nemo). They took Weasel home and soon learned that he had a very difficult time controlling his bladder. He would pee all the time. They decided to purchase a crate to train him and let him out several times a day - many, many times a day! The first night they put bedding in the crate and soon found that was a bad idea - Weasel wet everything! He was soaked and needed a bath. A couple of nights later, they just put newspapers and a water bowl - bad idea - Weasel was again soaked, the cage needed cleaning, and so did Weasel. After 3 days and nights of repeated baths, it was decided that no water and no newspapers would be in the crate (big lesson here). And with all these failures and waiting for Weasel to wake up without being soaked, he finally learned not to pee where he slept. A month later he was going out with the other dogs, and no more wetting the crate. Weasel was soon allowed to sleep in the bedroom on a dog bed like all the other dogs. He is good with other dogs, children and people. He plays frisbee and is the sweetest kindest dog ever. He is also great with us chihuahuas and became a 'surrogate dad' to my rescued brother Monkey.

Weasel plays with Monkey and Me earlier this summer.

Even though he has serious arthritis on his legs and does not move as he used to, he continues to try and play with me and little Monkey in the yard. He chases us and we chase him back. Sometimes my pawrents will throw a toy and Weasel will take it and make us chase him. He plays tug of war with us but always lets us win. He is a very good loyal dog who has been a good friend to Ethel, Roxy, Nemo and our 21 year old cat Hobie (who have all passed). Recently, we had to take Weasel to the vet because he started bothering his leg again and could not leave it alone. It was raw from all the licking and though they initially thought it was a hot spot, we were told it was actually a lick granuloma. He was given small dosages of meds because of his age. The doctor said he wanted to stay away from giving steroids to dogs over six years old so he limited what Weasel was given. We also sprayed him with bitter apples in hopes he would not bite through the leg dressing. It has taken several months but he is leaving it alone again. It appears he goes through cycles of bothering his leg different times of year. We are crossing our paws that he will leave it alone this time forever. Weasel is a true senior dog who in spite of having had difficult beginnings, shaky arthritic legs, hearing loss and a bunch of crazy chihuahuas around him, he still is friendly and loving. We hope Weasel will continue to have fun with us for years to come!

these wonderful mini me friends. Mini Me #1 (with the darker ears) will be doing hospital and nursing home therapy visits with me and helping me read with children. Mini Me #2 will remain at home looking lovely on the new leopard chaise my Momma and Daddy just bought. And Birdie Mini Me is a special friend for my best friend, the cocker spaniel, Birdie Girl. I cannot wait until she meets her new friend.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

I was recently mentioned in the wellness newsletter at my Momma's work. Wow. Obviously, there is one tiny error (I don't have a talk show, I have a newspaper column) but no matter - it brings a positive message to people about how dogs can be part of people's wellness!

I am excited to announce that I have been nominated for some exciting awards recently!How exciting! First of all I want to thank https://www.ohmyshihtzu.com/ and http://www.shebaslifestory.comfor the wonderful 'Versatile Blogger' nomination and https://www.ohmyshihtzu.com/ for the 'Super Sweet Blogging Awards' nomination - how kind of you to think of little ol' me for such an generous awards - thank you! My chihuahua eyes are welling up with tears of joy. I am honored! Even more so to have an opportunity to nominate all the wonderful bloggers who provide me with informative and entertaining details on their daily lives. I sometimes feel I should pay them - so here I go - a tiny token, but nevertheless, a chance to thank them!These lovely nominations each come with their own set of rules... so here I go:

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About Me

I was born January 1, 2007. I immediately began extensive training towards certification for the CGC, therapy, behavior and services. I visit and work with Silver Cross and South Suburban Hospitals, Ronald MacDonald House, Hines VA, nursing homes, schools, libraries, help children improve their reading skills and participate in health fairs and programs geared to bring therapy assistance to the community. You may have seen me in a commercial for the Lucy Pet Foundation, on the Hallmark Channel. I also appeared on DogTV's K9 Fit Club - their opening sequences (the little dog on the ball) and on two episodes of the program. I was also a WCIU TV Channel 26 Top Dog (twice), have been on a few commercials and appeared several times at the International Kennel Club Show in Chicago modeling. I love modeling, you may have seen me at Chicago's Fashion Fest run way show, Chicago Sun Times' Holiday Guide and several more (see the photos and videos on this site). American Dog Media Magazine featured me on their "Famous Dogs with Friends on Facebook" Pages and I have a community column about me in the Tinley Junction titled "Piranha's Tales" and run South Suburban Chihuahua group with over 200 members. We work with various charitable organizations, helping local shelters, rescues and fosters. I love to travel. Some of my favorite places are Colorado, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas and my favorite is Marco Island. I enjoy going to see movies, ballet, sports events and live theater. I love school! I learned to hi-five, hide, roll-over, bang-bang, sit pretty, patty cake, take a bow, wave hello and shake paw. My favorite foods are bananas (of course), carrots and broccoli. I love my best friend Birdie (a cocker spaniel) fluffy blankets, floppy toys, sunshine on my belly and lying on fresh green grass.

Modeling at the International Kennel Club Show for Sophisticated Pup - 2012

Modeling at the International Kennel Club Show for Sophisticated Pup - 2013

Dancing for Anything Canine Boutique in California - 2012

Daisy

My crazy Chihuahua/Italian Greyhound mix sister. Daisy's bday is her rescued date 10/03/08. Before she came to live with us, we learned she was abused, kept outdoors with some vicious dogs and starved. She came with a lot of baggage and hates males. She pretty much does not like to play with others and only loves me and wants to be left alone (a la Greta Garbo). She is very bossy, feisty and bites! Weasel, Monkey and I just do what she says - and nobody gets hurt!

Monkey

My pain-in-the hind failed foster brother Monkey. Monkey's bday is April 06, 2011. Monkey's mother and father were given up because the owner had cancer. Monkey was taken in as a foster but was rejected when the families found he was too small. He soon developed severe bleeding (back there) which continued on for two months. Several hundreds of dollars later, my daddy said Monkey should just live with us forever (and that he loved him). Now I have a fun brother to play with. Though he sometimes annoys me, takes my food, my bed, my toys. Everything.